Almost half of the 84 youths reported missing in Jammu and Kashmir after the Mufti Mohammed Sayeed government took power in the state, have been found safe and sound, leading a normal life with their families, a government spokesman said on Monday.

The spokesman said 16 of the missing youths had joined the militants and five of them were either killed by the security forces or died in militancy related incidents.

The state police initiated investigations into the matter after an organisation founded by the parents of the missing persons filed a complaint with the chief minister's office.

Names and addresses of at least 10 persons in the list did not match the local records in their respective villages.

The spokesman said 14 youths still remain untraced. One of them is missing since 1992.